Fallen into oblivion, the Jacoby Brothers enjoyed great popularity in the Texas of the 50’s , being one more example of how the music industry suffers in many cases of blindness as to promote artistic talent and it is also true that erroneous decisions made by the brothers led them to a dead end in your career leaving just 12 songs recorded listening today that is not understood as they had no continuity.

Gene ( born 1931) and Gilbert ( born 1927) Jacoby were born in San Antonio (Texas ) in a family eminently musical , embracing Gilbert (nicknamed » Boy » ) Mandolin ( after taking piano lessons, violin, bass and accordion ) and his brother Gene specializing in the guitar (an instrument used live soon to join the family band ) . The musical influences are brothers , emanating from legends like Jimmie Rodgers. Johnnie & Jack and Homer & Jethro decisively influenced young people who would soon be part of « The Jacoby Mountain Rhythm Band « led by the father of the clan, » Levy » and mother » Tommy » , in addition to supporting a young guitar Larry Nolen ( childhood friend of the brothers, later cutting records for Sarg and Starday ) .

The band soon acquired great notoriety in the city of San Antonio and throughout Texas through its Radio Shows issued by the KONO spreading their sound across the state and getting to share the stage with the legendary Ernest Tubb (the group would never step into a recording studio ) .

Gilbert participation ( Boy ) in World War enlisted in the U.S. Army will mark a before and after in the musical family , not being until 1945 when he was demobilized reunited with his brother starting immediately to act both as the Jacoby Brothers on the local scene in San Antonio .

In 1949 he won a talent contest at the Texas Theatre led by the legendary actor and singer Tex Ritter, luminaire impressed by the talent of the brothers proposes to move to California where under his tutelage and influence in the music industry could be a promising career.

Incredibly the brothers rejected the offer and returned home with the check for $ 10,000 that were awarded as competition winners mentioned above.

Until 1955 they became regulars of the best Clubs of Texas , acting in local and Jowdy ‘s, The Round Up or Circle B.

Stations of the lone star state as WOAI KMAC or spread their sound as well as participating in the popular television program » Red River Dance » issued by the WOAI -TV ( participated between 1952 and 1954 ) .

The small TNT Records label given the opportunity to record a total of 8 songs that will be distributed to local stations in San Antonio , getting their issues heard in the entire United States through the KMAC (which broadcast on nationwide chain ). The best TNT songs were « Cannonball » (indeed a train song), « Food plan boogie » and the furious « Bicycle wreck ». Also worth a listen are: « There’s no use to go wrong » and « I gave my love a cherry »..

The national broadcast will not fall on deaf ears and will not be long until they receive Decca recording deal , and Columbia , the Brothers opting for the latter in early 1954: a six-months contract against 2% with four options against 3% of royalties.

On March 29, 1955 they had their second Columbia session. After two songs Don Law told the brothers he was not happy. An argument followed and the brothers walked out of the studio. The two recorded songs were not issued by Columbia. The harshness with which the brothers had treated its corresponding answer Gene ‘s hand that he told Jacoby Don Law that » They had come to Dallas with his own money and with their own money could leave. »

The relationship between musicians and record breaking froze and finally end in 1955 when the daughter of 2 years old Gilbert ( Boy ) Jacoby dies, sinking into a deep depression that he will abandon the music dedicated to the regency of a construction company of his own creation until his death in 1992 at 66 years of age.

In contrast , his brother Gene militating continue in music in various bands in San Antonio and getting to spin like electric bassist Charlie Pride Band in Europe , never ceasing to compose and perform until his death in 1997 at age 65 old.

With the perspective that gives us the time , maybe if they had accepted the offer of Tex Ritter juicy his career would come to fruition, or if not so abruptly would have broken relations with Columbia Records … Anyway the quality is evident in his small recorded legacy for posterity.

a rare Australian issue!

Article taken from « country.lacoctelera.net » blogsite (in Spanish). Label scans come from Allan Turner (TNT 78s + rare mp3) and Willem Agenant (Columbia 45s). Thanks a lot to them. Important addition from faithful visitor Drunken Hobo. Gene Jacoby sang « Duck tail cat » with Dan Virva & the Flying « D » Ramblers in May 1956 on the Marathon label (# 5002) out of San Antonio. Larry Nolen, who got taught the rhythm guitar by Gene Jacoby, is categoric about it: Dan Virva stole the show to Jacoby. Indeed Larry Nolen had his own version on Starday later this year (« King of the duck tail cats »). Thanks Dean!

The story of Frank Rice and Ernest W. Stokes goes back to 1933, when they were known as « Mustard and Gravy« . They came from Virginia, and discovered by Smiley Burnette, doing minstrel-shows. In 1950, they cut for Gotham the fine « Be Bop Boogie« , accompanied by a trombone! The song found its way several years later in a Calypso style by Don Hager on the Oak label.

Nothing is known on Les Willard, surely a Nashville singer, here backed by Hank Williams’ Drifting Cowboys, for the romper « Double Up And Catch Up » in 1955.

Red Mansel was from Texas, and had a contract with Dan Mechura‘s Allstar label ca. 1958 for the equally fine « Johnny On The Spot« . He had already cut for Starday Custom (# 523) in 1955, the piano-led medium tempo « Broken Fickle Heart » (see elsewehere in this site for « Starday Custom serie (# 500-525).

From Texas came also on the T.N.T. (« Tanner’n’Texas ») label the duet The Jacoby Brothers (George, the uncle and Boy, the nephew), respectively on mandolin and guitar. They offer here the very fast « Bicycle Wreck« , with a fantastic mandolin solo.

Red Woodward and his Red Hawks were familiar in the period 1945-1950 on WBAP radio from the Dallas-Fort Worth area. I’ve chosen his « Cowboy Boogie » from 1947, on Signature label. Relaxed vocal, fine backing, and a guitar solo which seems being acoustic one!

Finally a R&B Rocker from 1954 by the great Lightning Hopkins. Hope you enjoy the selections. Don’t forget to have a look at my « contact Me » section, for records and books for sale from my collection. You could be amazed! Bye

Howdy folks! Here we go with a new offering from my collection. Kingsport, Tennessee, 1954, and a fine rendition by fiddler L.C. Smith, RADIO BOOGIE. Yes it’s a crossover between Hillbilly Bop and Bluegrass. Much earlier (March 22, 1937) and the great Roy Acuff on STEEL GUITAR BLUES (Clem Slumley on dobro – slide effects). Then on to Texas, both tracks on the TNT label. Energic BICYCLE WRECK by the Jacoby Brothers, and the bluesy LOSING THE BLUES by Jerry Dove (Remember his « Pink Bow Tie »?). Back to Ohio for Lawson Rudd’s SHAKE THIS TOWN. We finish with the Black R&R DON’T HAPPEN NO MORE by Young Jessie (Mickey Baker on guitar) – frantic! (78 rpm). Enjoy the tracks. Comments welcome!